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“Y-yes,” Becky said. “I love it here, so I was very glad to learn that I could stay a little longer.”
“An accident to your escort, I understand?”
“Most unfortunate, wasn’t it, Becky?” Theo willed her face to assume pleasantness. “Especially as it accounted for his absence at Becky’s last meal.”
“And there you were, teasing us about him, saying it was to be a great surprise.”
“But that is the nature of a surprise, is it not? There is a tendency for it to surprise even the most careful of plans, thus surprising the surpriser.”
Becky chuckled. “I rather doubt he enjoyed that surprise.”
“No.”
The look that Lady Bellingham and son exchanged suggested they would be wise to move on from this topic of conversation, but before Theo could return to a focus on the weather, Lady Bellingham addressed Becky again. “Have you any idea of how long we can be assured of the pleasure of your company, Rebecca, dear?”
“I … I believe it is another five weeks or so.”
“In that case, perhaps your uncle might be persuaded to come after all. It really was too bad of him not to make a push earlier. We were all so excited.”
“Perhaps he learned of it and decided to stay away.” Theo raised her eyebrows.
“Oh, Theodosia, you are too cruel! I know you are funning, but really, such things are not to be mocked. I am sure that dear Captain Balfour would be most gratified by our parties here.”
“I wonder if a hero used to being feted in London would wish for more of the same here in the north?” Theo mused aloud. “If it were me, I would much prefer to rusticate and go about my business quietly.”
“That is because you are a such a modest girl,” Lady Bellingham said. “If you were more used to parties and the like, then I daresay you would enjoy those entertainments of a more sociable nature.”
Theo bowed her head in an attempt to look as modest as Lady Bellingham seemed to believe her to be.
The two older ladies pulled away into conversation, which left Theo to do her best to balance the surly probing queries of Frederick with the shy responses of Becky. Such a conversation, with Becky’s capacity for near misses concerning her uncle, left Theo feeling a little exhausted when their guests finally departed.
“I do not know how much longer we can keep this pretense,” Theo said, when they had returned to the drawing room after waving off their visitors.
“Is Uncle Daniel still determined to hide himself?”
“Determined or not, he feels this is the best course for the immediate future. But you may find that things change.” She glanced apologetically at her mother. “Forgive me, Mother, for I should have spoken about this to you sooner. I was speaking to the captain earlier and encouraged him to invite a friend to come and stay.”
“But of course he would appreciate a visitor! Oh, the poor man. Hiding up here as he is must besohard for a man of action. I hope he agreed.”
“Eventually. But I should think he would like your reassurance too. He seems to be under the impression that I run the household, and it would be helpful, perhaps, if he could see that you are the real lady of the manor.”
“But we all know that is you, my dear.” Her mother caressed Theo’s hand with affection. “I could not pretend to do half the things you do, for which I’m so very grateful.”
“Did my uncle say whom he wished to invite?” asked Becky.
“Lieutenant Musgrave.”
“Oh!”
“Who is he?” asked Theo’s mother.
“I recall Mother speaking of him, that he was a man every bit as brave as Uncle Daniel but a number of years younger. He also fought in the Peninsular and is considered to be very handsome.”
“If that is the case, then he is sure to be welcomed in the village. Handsome young men generally are.” Theo stood, moving to stir up the fire.
“I don’t think Mr. Bellingham will like that very much,” said Becky, with a most unladylike smirk.
“It is a good thing we need not take his feelings into consideration, then.” Theo laughed. “Oh, won’t the lieutenant set the villagers on their ears?”
